Alabama: Get in shape or pay more!

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Tab

Originally posted by: Bowfinger
By the way, there are a lot of private sector companies doing this as well. Everyone's looking for ways to hold down health insurance costs. Yes, it's intrusive, but it will only get worse as long as most Americans are willing to tolerate it.

Are you inplying this practice should be illegal?

Drive Poor = Higher Insurance, sometimes mandatory driver education courses
Eat Poor = Higher Insurance, optional health education courses

I understand the rationale behind it, but I also recognize it is intrusive in people's personal lives. It's not so much that I think it should be illegal as I wish more people would take it upon themselves to stand up and object.

 

[Superrock]

Obesity is a huge problem in the USA. If you look at recent health statistics it's insane how fast obesity has grown in recent times. This measure seems fine to me. As long as people are making an effort they won't overburden our healthcare system more than it already is.

 

[retrospooty]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Seems as though the State of Alabama is not playing around when it comes to health care for its State employees.

Alabama To Charge Obese State Employees More For Insurance

birmingham, al - MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama state employees suffering from obesity and three other health problems will eventually have to pay extra for their health insurance if they don?t try to control their problems. The State Employees? Insurance Board has approved a plan that will charge state workers an extra $25 per month, starting January 2010, if they don?t have a free health screening. If the screening turns up no problems, they don?t have to pay the $25 in the future. If the screening turns up serious problems with blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose or obesity, then employees will have one year to see a doctor, enroll in a wellness program or take other steps to improve their health. If they do, they won?t have to pay the $25 monthly. But if they don?t, they will have to pay the $25 per month starting in January 2011.

I think Alabama will be the first of many states to enact this measure. I personally think this is outrageous and intrusive. Paying for health insurance I understand but charging more because someone is obese is going to far IMO.

As an obese person myself I know how hard it is to lose weight but it can be done. I just don't think government fining me (or anyone else) is the way to go about it. Thoughts?

The govt. isnt telling how to live, dingdong, the govt. is telling you that your heathcare costs as an obese person are skyrocketing MY cost as a healthy person... therefore you should pay more. It is still your free chioce, all the govt is doing is saying "the free ride is over tubby"

 

[kotss]

In regards to this issue, I agree with it to a point. I do not like the fact that people who do not wish to take responsibility for their health should get away with no extra charge. They should pay extra for people who have a choice to change their health and do not. The problem is when the companies decide to charge you more for your genetic risks. That is what we have to watch out for. You could be the healthiest you could be, but if you have a 40% increased risk of cancer in your family history, the insurance companies might decide, why not charge this person more because of the actuarial risk this person represents. That is what must not come to pass. So if being overweight is your choice, then pay more for that choice. If being overweight is something that has to do with biological problems (not easily controlled) then work very hard to keep it under control.
Do not let excuses control your weight. Healthy living is a choice, one I work at on a daily basis and have plenty of room for improvement. I run 40 miles a week, play hockey, bike and swim. I do not do all of them in a given day, but I put in the effort and I have changed my diet somewhat to help with the weight control. It takes motivation to do these things, I do not always want to exercise, but I do it. Almost everyone can lose weight, if they want to. Just do it, no more excuses. You do not need a gym membership to lose weight, just good planning and willingness to follow through on it.